As the Storm finished up their third game in three nights saturday in Oceanside, you could see a hint of frustration as the boys boarded the bus. Despite spotting the Generals a 3-0 lead, they roared back to pull cut it to 3-2 heading into the final 20 minutes on goals by Jordan Suzuki and Chase Haley.
Just under five minutes to the third, the Generals would score again, and if they were facing the boys a month ago, it would have signaled the start of a downward spiral. But not this current edition. Good second effort from Chris West off of an Alex Benjestorf rush cut the lead to one again just 23 seconds later. The game wouldn't be decided until the 14 minute mark, when Tyler Auricchio scored for Oceanside to give them a 5-3 win at home, a spirited game that saw both teams play physical and not back down.
Probably the most complete effort for the Storm in the 3 games. Thursday, the boys were also down 3 to Victoria before scoring 3 straight to tie it in the third. Only late penalty trouble allowed the Cougars to score a pair with the man advantage en route to a 6-3 win in Vic. Friday, the team came out strong against the Kerry Park Islanders, who were missing the likes of Zach Fridella, Spencer Reich and Sheldon Latham. Great opening period, but the vets for the Isles in Cole Thomson and Ryan Reynolds the difference in a 4-0 win for the visitors at the Brindy.
There continues to be signs from this group that when that elusive win comes, it will get them on track to gain 2 points more often than not. Jordan Suzuki has easily been the Storm's MVP, not only scoring big goals from the blueline, but now adding a physical element to his game. If he can avoid the box while doing so, teams will be wary when #28 is lurking about. Goalie Tyler Bachmeier has adjusted his game, from making highlight reel saves, but allowing a soft goal, to focusing on rebound control and it's given his team a chance each time he suits up. Ryan Fairgray has shown he can man the fort when Tyler's off his game or needs a break.
Chase Haley has been a revelation since coming aboard. He's fearless, goes strong to the net and has a knack for generating offense through hard work.
Alex Benjestorf is like this team's "Rudy". A guy that many thought would never play more than a supporting role in spot duty. He's been one of the strongest players for the Storm the last 8 games and has been rewarded with 5 goals.
I loved seeing Brendan Enns up front. The big man loves to carry the puck, makes it difficult for opposing defenders to move him from in front of the crease, and could give the Storm a really good weapon if he can cash in a few chances and play physical, but clean on the forecheck.
Corey MacLachlan continues to get points when he's not crashing into the opposition keepers.
I think Andrew Gaiga still has a lot to give this team offensively and has shown it in glimpses.
Kiefer Rivington is another kid that gets better every game. Under the steadying influence of Dylan Budgell, he continues to emerge as a solid blueliner in this league.
From the great two way play of Jesse Spooner, to the grit of the Eliason brothers, the pesky nature of Rob Iszak and lunch pail attitude of Danny Hall, to the speed of Matt Tilton and Wade Bartlett, everyone is starting to discover their roles on the team.
Even Joe Szabados has stepped up his game the last few, since the departure of McNeill. Hopefully, scoring his first goal in 3 games will help Chris West get acclimatized to the team.
So there is hope, Storm fans. It's always darkest before the dawn. A big 4 game stretch awaits the Storm starting friday. 4 very win-able games with a pair against Saanich and two against Westhore. I'd be ecstatic seeing the boys win 3 of those. Tune in friday to find out. As of now, pregame at 6:15.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
New month could mean new beginnings for Storm team
The past weekend did give Storm fans a glimmer of hope. As Coach Jim Revenberg so eloquently put it, the bonehead plays are down to 3 or 4 a game, as opposed to 14-15 earlier in the month.
On thursday, the boys were in Mill Bay to face a Kerry Park Islander's team that had beaten them twice earlier in the month, including an 8-3 whooping in Mill Bay the last time they met.
It looked like it could have gone that way, after the Islanders jumped out to a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes.
But it would not be the same. Jesse Spooner scored after a scramble in front of goalie Ben Kantor to cut the lead in half. Then the Isles benefited from some Halloween trickery at their arena. The Isles would score after a Matthew Johnson point shot hit the shoulder of Gavin Lindner, fooling Ty Bachmeier and making it 3-1. Then a crazy bounce off the end boards landed on the stick of Chase Salisbury, who was all alone and he fired it home, 4-1 KPI.
But the Storm didn't quit. Chase Hailey, who played his best game in a Storm jersey, got his team to within a pair after 40 minutes.
In the third, Alex Benjestorf scored his third in a Storm jersey to make it a 1 goal game. The Storm would continue pressing, but Lindner would put it into an empty net with Bachmeier on the bench in the final 30 seconds to make it 5-3 KPI.
The next night, the Storm hosted an Oceanside Generals team with a lot of key vets out of the line up. With the likes Yamasaki and Dixon up in Junior A, the tables were leveled in terms of overall talent. The Storm would open he scoring, with Alex Benjestorf the recipient of a terrific pass from Chase Hailey, who dished it from the end boards, allowing Benji to rifle it past goalie Kolding Larsen. The Gens tied it with some terrific passing. Travis Briggs went backhand from the left boards to Brett Willsie, who then sent another backhand pass on to the stick of Travis Flug, who was alone in the slot. 1-1 after 20 minutes.
Only one goal was scored in the second, but it should rank as one of the top 5 from this season. Brent Baltus took the puck from the right boards with the Gens on the power play, stick handled around tow Storm PK'ers, lured Ty Bachmeier out of his net then put it into the gaping cage. 2-1 Gens after 40 minutes.
The Storm didn't let up as the third period began. They had chances to tie it up. They just couldn't pull the trigger, and it proved costly. A turnover at their blueline to Oceanside's Brett Willsie eventually ended up on the stick of Travis Briggs, who gave the visitors a 3-1 lead with under 5 minutes to play.
Then in the waning moments of the 3rd, with the net empty, Jordie Eliason's point shot beat Larsen to bring the Storm to within 1. But with only 15 seconds remaining, it was too little too late. 3-2 Oceanside.
Still,, if you compare it a few weeks previous, when they faced these two teams in back to back games, the combined score was 4-15. So much improved and hopefully that will continue when the Storm face the Victoria Cougars thursday, who have won 8 straight.
Aaron Enns of the Laronge Ice Wolves is my first period intermission guest, Tom Arlidge of the Cougars broadcast team in the 2nd. Puck drops at 7:15, so we'll be on the air at 7. On a side note, it's nice to see former Tyee Carsen Germyn healthy again and getting a chance to shine in the Swiss Pro League for EHC Olten. Carsen had 1 goal and 3 assists in his last game, a 9-1 win.
Here's a fun video of him and the team's other import, former Hobey Baker winner Marty Sertich. The subtitles are in German, but they're speaking in English (2nd story in).
http://www.ehco.ch/de/ehco-tv.html
Looks like a pretty nice play to play hockey for a living.
On thursday, the boys were in Mill Bay to face a Kerry Park Islander's team that had beaten them twice earlier in the month, including an 8-3 whooping in Mill Bay the last time they met.
It looked like it could have gone that way, after the Islanders jumped out to a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes.
But it would not be the same. Jesse Spooner scored after a scramble in front of goalie Ben Kantor to cut the lead in half. Then the Isles benefited from some Halloween trickery at their arena. The Isles would score after a Matthew Johnson point shot hit the shoulder of Gavin Lindner, fooling Ty Bachmeier and making it 3-1. Then a crazy bounce off the end boards landed on the stick of Chase Salisbury, who was all alone and he fired it home, 4-1 KPI.
But the Storm didn't quit. Chase Hailey, who played his best game in a Storm jersey, got his team to within a pair after 40 minutes.
In the third, Alex Benjestorf scored his third in a Storm jersey to make it a 1 goal game. The Storm would continue pressing, but Lindner would put it into an empty net with Bachmeier on the bench in the final 30 seconds to make it 5-3 KPI.
The next night, the Storm hosted an Oceanside Generals team with a lot of key vets out of the line up. With the likes Yamasaki and Dixon up in Junior A, the tables were leveled in terms of overall talent. The Storm would open he scoring, with Alex Benjestorf the recipient of a terrific pass from Chase Hailey, who dished it from the end boards, allowing Benji to rifle it past goalie Kolding Larsen. The Gens tied it with some terrific passing. Travis Briggs went backhand from the left boards to Brett Willsie, who then sent another backhand pass on to the stick of Travis Flug, who was alone in the slot. 1-1 after 20 minutes.
Only one goal was scored in the second, but it should rank as one of the top 5 from this season. Brent Baltus took the puck from the right boards with the Gens on the power play, stick handled around tow Storm PK'ers, lured Ty Bachmeier out of his net then put it into the gaping cage. 2-1 Gens after 40 minutes.
 | ||||
| Game action between the Storm and Generals. Pictured are #17 Chase Hailey and #4 Thor Rossback. | Photo by Sandi Goldrup-Thomspn |
The Storm didn't let up as the third period began. They had chances to tie it up. They just couldn't pull the trigger, and it proved costly. A turnover at their blueline to Oceanside's Brett Willsie eventually ended up on the stick of Travis Briggs, who gave the visitors a 3-1 lead with under 5 minutes to play.
Then in the waning moments of the 3rd, with the net empty, Jordie Eliason's point shot beat Larsen to bring the Storm to within 1. But with only 15 seconds remaining, it was too little too late. 3-2 Oceanside.
Still,, if you compare it a few weeks previous, when they faced these two teams in back to back games, the combined score was 4-15. So much improved and hopefully that will continue when the Storm face the Victoria Cougars thursday, who have won 8 straight.
Aaron Enns of the Laronge Ice Wolves is my first period intermission guest, Tom Arlidge of the Cougars broadcast team in the 2nd. Puck drops at 7:15, so we'll be on the air at 7. On a side note, it's nice to see former Tyee Carsen Germyn healthy again and getting a chance to shine in the Swiss Pro League for EHC Olten. Carsen had 1 goal and 3 assists in his last game, a 9-1 win.
Here's a fun video of him and the team's other import, former Hobey Baker winner Marty Sertich. The subtitles are in German, but they're speaking in English (2nd story in).
http://www.ehco.ch/de/ehco-tv.html
Looks like a pretty nice play to play hockey for a living.
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